There is a myth that LPA’s are only relevant when it comes to elderly people who are afflicted with dementia. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Any person who has any asset or has any concerns regarding decisions to be made when they cannot due to mental incapacity should make LPAs.
The simplest way to explain an LPA is akin to an insurance policy.. you take out a policy hoping never to use it. It is a back-up plan. An LPA is just that.. a back-up plan for your health and financial.
An LPA is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one of more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you, the donor more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or any illness and cannot make decisions at the time (i.e. you ‘lack mental capacity’).
There are two types of LPAs:
- health and welfare; and
- property and financial
You can choose to register one or both LPAs.
Your health LPA will give your appointed attorney the power to make decisions about things like:
- your daily routine, including for example, washing, dressing and eating;
- medical care;
- moving into a care home;
- life-sustaining treatment It can only be used when you are unable to make decisions.
Your property and financial LPA will give an attorney the power to make decisions about things like:
- managing a bank account;
- paying bills;
- collecting benefits or pension;
- selling your home.
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